- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla:
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Pour into Pans:
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool:
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Frost or Serve as Is:
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, you can frost them with your favorite frosting or serve them as is.
- Optional: Add Flavor Variations:
- Customize your cake by adding flavor variations such as lemon or orange zest, almond extract, or a touch of cinnamon.
- Optional: Add Toppings:
- Top the cake with powdered sugar, fresh berries, or a simple glaze for added sweetness.
- Slice and Serve:
- Slice and serve your delicious and simple soft cake!
This basic soft cake recipe serves as a great base for various flavor variations. Feel free to get creative with the ingredients and toppings to suit your preferences. Enjoy!